Quantitative Analysis of Sharp-Force Trauma: An Application of Scanning Electron Microscopy in Forensic Anthropology

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has occasionally been used by anthropologists and forensic scientists to look at morphological characteristics that certain implements leave on bone. However, few studies have addressed techniques or protocols for assessing quantitative differences between tool marks on bone made by different bladed implements. In this study, the statistical variation in cut mark width was examined between control and test samples on bone using a scalpel blade, paring knife, and kitchen utility knife. Statistically significant differences (p < .0005) were found between cut marks made by the same knife under control and test conditions for all three knife types used in the study. When the control sample and test samples were examined individually for differences in mean variation between knife types, significant differences were also found (p < .0005). While significant differences in cut mark width were found, caution should be used in trying to classify individual cut marks as being inflicted by a particular implement, due to the overlap in cut mark width that exists between different knife types. When combined, both quantitative and qualitative analyses of cut marks should prove to be more useful in trying to identify a suspect weapon. Furthermore, the application of SEM can be particularly useful for assessing many of these features.

Differentiation of serrated and non-serrated blades from stab marks in bone

“…Previous work has focussed on interpreting sharp-force trauma from bone in order to make statements about the context of death in both forensic and archaeological contexts. Such work includes the definition of kerf dimensions and properties [9,10], the differentiation of cutmark origin [9,10,11,12,13,14], the impact of other taphonomic processes on cutmark preservation [15,16], patterns of butchery and dismemberment [10,17,18,19] and describing the details of the trauma incident itself [1,2,4,5,6,7,20,21]. Although research has demonstrated that it is possible to distinguish the class of sharp object used from the mark left behind, it is difficult to be any more precise than that.…”

Identificação de segmento corporal – relato de caso e discussão dos aspectos médico-legais

“…Lesões ósseas por ação cortante são particularmente ricas tanto em suas características morfológicas como nas interpretações dos potenciais objetos que as produziram [27][28]. Quando produzidas por objetos laminados de gume afiado à semelhança de facas, as marcas ósseas tendem a ser estreitas se a lâmina tocar o osso de forma perpendicular, com formato de V (em corte transversal), apresentando estriações paralelas em seu fundo e com pequena perda tecidual [26,28], exatamente o aspecto observado nas lesões do radio e da ulna no caso em tela (Fig. 4 e Fig.…”

Samurai Sword Cut Marks on Bone: Do We Know Enough?

“…However, tool marks identification on bone is under researched with the majority of sharp blade trauma focused on knife [1][2][3][4] and saw tool marks [5][6]. The four studies on Samurai sword trauma derived from archaeological specimens [7][8][9][10] and only one study from a forensic context [11].…”